Stock feeding mechanism



Sept. 26, 1961 Filed Nov. 4, 1959 D. c. WRIGHT 3,001,681

STOCK FEEDING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1- Ff/J'E INVENTOR.

Sept. 26, 1961 D. c. WRIGHT STOCK FEEDING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 4. 1959 Sept. 26, 1961 n. c. WRIGHT s'rocx FEEDING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 4, 1959 INVENTOR. 175F717 I'M/95H? BY U d St e.

3,001,681 STOCK FEEDING MECHANISM David C. Wright, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, assignor to The Falls Engineering & Machine Company, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Nov. 4, 1959, Ser. No. 850,964 14 Claims. (Cl. 226-150) This invention relates to stock feeding mechanism and is particularly useful in feeding sheet stock to cutting, pressing or other mechanism.

In the manufacture of articles of sheet material it is often desirable to cut uniform lengths of material from a sheet thereof or to advance a sheet material step by step to cutting, pressing or other machines. Such material is often drawn from a roll of the sheetmaterial. Where the material is stretchable or elastic as in the case of sheet rubber, sheet plastic, sheet sponge material'and some fabrics and coated materials, it has been difficult if not impossible with feeding devices hereto fore available to accurately advance the material step by step.

The present invention has for an object to overcome the difficulties heretofore mentioned and to advance the material step by step so as to advance it by equal increments.

Other objects are to provide for drawing the sheet material from a stock roll thereof, and to advance the material in a horizontal plane. 3

These and other objects will appear from theaccompanying drawings and the following description Of the drawings: FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a sheet feeding mechanism constructed in accordance with and embodying the invention. .FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof.

. FIG. 3 is an end elevation of a stock-clamping mechanism.

"FIG. 4 is a side view of the same.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the indexing mechanism. FIG. 6 is a side view thereof.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a frame having a rectangular top 11 or table. The frame supports bearings 12 at one end thereof for supporting an idler roll 13 and a similar idler roll 14 is mounted in bearings 15 at the opposite, or delivery end of table. An endless belt 16 is arranged with a reach thereof extending over the top of the table from roll 13 to roll 14. A return reach of the belt 16 is supported by idler rolls 17, 18, 19 and 20, the rolls 17, 18 and 19 being rotatably mounted in bearings 21, 22, and 23 and roll being mounted on a belt tensioning device comprising a carriage 24 slidably mounted on guide brackets 25 and adjustable therealong by screws 26. The arrangement is such that the roll 20 engages a bight of the belt between rolls 13 and 19 and may be adjusted horizontally to take any slack from the belt.

Two clamping mechanisms 27 and 28 are mounted along the table for adjustment lengthwise thereof. Clamp mechanism 27 comprises a pair of vertical frame mem bers 29, 29' mounted for sliding movement along the frame and connected at their tops by a bar 30 and at their bottoms, below the tabletop by a bar 31. Also connecting the frame members 29, 29 is a flat thin plate or strip 32 which extends across the top of the table beneath the belt 16. For clamping the sheet material to the belt 16 and the table, a pressure bar 33 extends across the belt 16 between side frame members 29, 29' and its ends are fitted in vertical slots 34 of the side frame members. Fluid pressure cylinders 35, 35' are mounted on the side frame 'members and have piston rods 36, 36' secured to the 3,001,681 Patented Sept. 26, 19 61 clamp bar. The cylinders are connected to a source of fluid pressure through a control valve for operation unison to raise the clamp bar to release the sheet material and the belt or to lower the clamp bar to engage them.

For positioning the clamping mechanism 27 along the table, a lead screw 40 is mounted to rotate in bearings 41, 42 suspended below the table on the central vertical plane thereof and a nut 43 is mounted on the clamping mechanism 27 to engage the nut. For rotating the screw, a cross shaft 44 is rotatably mounted on bearings secured to the frame 10, a miter gear 45 secured on the screw/40 meshes with a miter gear 46 on shaft 44. A disc 47 is secured to shaft 44 and has index slots 48 therein at equally spaced positions thereabout. A locking pin 49 is slidably mounted on the bearing plate 50 which supports one end of shaft 44 in position to enter notches in disc 47. A spring 51 is adapted to urge the locking pin 49 toward the disc and a cam lock 52 is pivotally mounted on pin 49 to hold it out of the notches when desired. Ahandle 53 is secured to disc 47 for rotat ing the shaft 44 and therefore the screw 40. The disc 47 is keyed to the shaft 44 and held in place by a nut 54 so that the disc may be removed and replaced by a disc having a different number of equal divisions. The ar rangement is such that clamp member 27 may be ad-.- justed along the table by rotation of the disc 47 and locked against movement at any desired position.

The clamping mechanism 28 is similar to mechanism 27 in that it has vertical frame members 60, 60' secured together by an upper bar 61 and a lower bar 62 and slid ably mounted for movement along the table. It also has a clamping plate 63 extending across the table under the belt and over the table and has a clamping bar 64 across and over the belt slidably mounted in vertical slots of the :frame members 60, 60'. Also fluid pressure cylinders 65, 65' are mounted thereon, and have pistons secured to the clamping bar to raise and lower it, the cylinders being operated in unison from a supply of fluid under pressure through a control valve.

' In order to insure parallel movement of the clamp members along the table racks 66, 66' extend lengthwise of the table, one along each side below the frame members. The clamping member 27 has a shaft 67 which extends crosswise of the table and has a bearing in members 29, 29. Gears 68, 68 of equal pitch diameter are fixed to the shaft and mesh with the racks 66, 66' re? spectively. Guide rails 69, 69' are secured to the frame along the sides thereof and are engaged by rollers 70 mounted on members 29, 29'. The guide rails also support the racks. The engagement of gears 68, 68' with the racks at each side of the table insures parallel movement.

Clamp member 28 is similarly provided with a cross shaft 71, having bearings in its end plates 60, 60 for receiving it. The shaft has a pair of pinions 68, 68 for engaging the racks 66, 66' respectively.

The clamping member 28 is moved back and forth along the table at each successive advance of the sheet material, and for this purpose a fluid operated. double acting cylinder 73 is mounted on the frame 10 with its axis lengthwise of the table. The cylinder has a piston rod 72 connected to the cross bar 62 of the clamping mechanism 28. The cylinder has pipe connections 73a, 73b whereby it is connected to a source of fluid pressure andto exhaust through a reversing valve. The cylinder has suflicient stroke to exceed the longest advance of the sheet material desired.

While the stroke of cylinder 73 is fixed by its length, its effective stroke may be limited by adjustment of clamping member 27 along the table. A stop 74 is carried by clamping member 27 and a stop 75 is carried by clamping member 28. These stops engage one another and limit the effective stroke.

V movement.

' As previously mentioned, a reversing valve 80 is provided to raise and lower the clamping bar 64 and a similar reversing valve 81 is provided to control clamping bar 33. These are preferably arranged to be operated in such manner that when bar 64 is clamping the work bar 33 is raised and when bar 33 is clamping, bar 64 is raised. For this purpose, valve 80 may be controlled by a solenoid 82 which when energized moves the valve one way to admit fluid pressure only to the upper end of the cylinder and a solenoid 83 which will admit fluid only to the lower end of the cylinder. Similarly, a solenoid 84 is provided which when energized will move valve 81 to admit fluid pressure only to the lower end of its clamping cylinder and a second solenoid 85 which when energized will admit pressure only to the upper end of its cylinder. Solenoids 82 and 84 may be arranged in parallel across'a line controlled by a switch 86 and solenoids 83 and 85 arranged in'parallel across a line controlled by a single switch 87. Current is supplied from a source 88. The arrangement is such that closing switch 86 clamps clamping mechanism 28 and releases clamping mechanism 27, and closing switch 87 releases clamping mechanism 28 and clamps clamping mechanism 27.

Cylinder 73 is controlled by a reversing valve 89 which may be operated by onersolenoid 9t) to advance the piston rod and clamping mechanism 28 and a second solenoid 92 to retract the piston and the clamping mechanism 28. These solenoids may be respectively energized byclosing switches 93 and 94. i

'As the clamping mechanism 28 should not be advanced while the clamping mechanism 27 is clamped, a normally open limit switch 95 is mounted on the frame of the clamping mechanism 27 and is closed only when a stop 96 fixed to the piston rods of one of the cylinders is in its raised position. This limit switch is in series with switch 93' and solenoid 99 across the line and prevents advance of clamping mechanism 28 when clamping mechanism 27 is clamped.

Similarly, a normally open limit switch 97 is mounted on the frame of clamping mechanism 27 and is closed by stop 96 only when the clamping bar is lowered. Switch 97 is in series with switch 94 and solenoid 92 across the line so that clamping mechanism 28 cannot be retracted until clamping mechanism 27 clamps the sheet material and the'supporting belt against the table.

While controlling switches 86, 87, 9 3 and 94- have been illustrated as push button switches and as hand controled, limit switches with or without holding circuits may be substituted therefor and controlled by the pressing, cutting or other apparatus to which the stock feeder is attached. In the operation of the apparatus, sheet material may be drawn from a supply roll 160 over the belt 16 under clamping bars 33 and 64. Clamping mechanism 27 is operated to clamp the stock and the belt against relative Clamping mechanism 28 is then retracted until its stop 75 contacts stop 74. After a cutting or other following operation, clamping mechanism 28 is clamped to grip the material to the belt at the next position, clamping mechanism 27 is released from the material and belt and clamping mechanism. 28 is then advanced to advance the material. After advance of clamping mechanism 28 clamping mechanism 27 'is closed and 28 is retracted. The length of stock advanced is set by adjustment of clamping mechanism 27 along the table by the screw 40.

As the material is advanced only with an accompanying advance of the non-stretchable belt, stretching of the stock is prevented. While a certain embodiment and details have been illustrated in order to disclose the invention it will be understood by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing .trorn the scope of th invention. as defined by the following claims. What is claimed is:

1. Sheet stock nrieasurin and feeding mechanism coming a straight reach of said belt, a stock supply adjacent the said reach of said belt for supplying sheet material thereto, a first clamp means spanning the width of said belt adjustably mounted on said tensioning and supporting means and having means for clamping said sheet material to said belt against relative advance thereof, a second clamp means independently operable relative to the first said clamp means movable along said supporting means and adapted to advance said sheet material and said belt, means for moving said second clamping means along said supporting means in a reciprocating movement, means to actuate said first clamping means into sheet clamping condition to arrest advance or retraction of said sheet material relative to said belt during a return stroke of said second clamping means and for releasing it during an advance movement of said second clamping means, and means for releasing said second clamping means from gripping said sheet material during its return stroke and clamping it during its advance stroke. 1

2. Sheet stock measuring and feeding mechanism com prising an endless belt, means for tensioning and sup porting a straight reach of said belt, a stock supply adjacent the said reach of said belt for supplying sheet material thereto, a first clamp means spanning the width of said belt adjustably mounted on said tensioning and supporting means and having means for clamping said sheet material to said belt against relative advance thereof, a second clamp means independently operable relative to the first said clamp means movable along said sup porting means and adapted to advance said sheet material and said belt, means for moving said second clamping means along said supporting means in a reciprocating movement,-means to actuate said first clamping means into sheet clamping condition to arrest advance or retraction'ofsaid sheet material relative 'to said belt during a return stroke of said second clamping means and for releasing it during an advance movement of said second clamping. means, and means for releasing and second clamping means from gripping said sheet material during its return stroke and clamping it during its advance stroke and stop means for limiting the stroke of said second clamping means.

3. Sheet stock measuring and feeding mechanism comprising an endlms belt, means for tens'ioning and supporting a straight reach of said belt, a stock supply adjacent the said reach of said .belt for supplying sheet material thereto, a first clamp means spanning the width of said belt adjustably mounted on saidtensioning and supporting means and having means for clamping said sheet material to said belt against relative advance there} of, a second clamp means independently operable relative to the first said clamp means movable along said supporting means-and adapted to advance said sheet material and, said belt, means for moving said second clamping means along said supporting means in a reciprocating movement, means to actuate said first clamping means into sheet clamping condition to arrest advance or retraction of said sheet material relative to said belt during a return stroke of said second clamping means and ,for releasing it during an advance movement of said second clamping means, and means for releasing said second clamping means .trom gripping said sheet material during its return stroke :and clamping it during its advancestroke. a

4. Sheet stock measuring and feeding mechanism comprisingan endless belt, means for tensioning and supporting a straight reach of said belt, a stock supply adjacent the said reach of said 'belt for supplying sheet material thereto, a first clamp means spanning the width of said belt adjustably mounted on said tensioning and supporting means and having means for clamping said sheet material to said belt against relative advance thereof, a second'clamp means independently operable relascanner tive to the first said clamp means movable along said supporting means and adapted to adance said sheet material and said belt, means for moving said second clamping means along said supporting means in a reciprocating movement, means to actuate said first clamping means into sheet clamping condition to arrest advance or retraction of said sheet material relative to said belt during a return stroke of said second clamping means and for releasing it during an advance movement of said second clamping means, and means for releasing said second clamping means from gripping said sheet material during its return stroke and clamping it during its advance stroke, said first clamping means being provided with adjustable stop means for limiting the stroke of said second clamping means.

5. Sheet stock measuring and feeding mechanism comprising an endless belt, means for tensioning and supporting a straight reach of said belt, a stock supply adjacent the said reach of said belt for supplying sheet material thereto, a first clamp means spanning the width of said belt adjustably mounted on said tensioning and supporting means and having means for clamping said sheet material to said belt against relative advance thereof, a second clamp means independently operable relative to the first said clamp means movable along said supporting means and adapted to advance said sheet material and said belt, means for moving said second clamping means along said supporting means in a reciprocating movement, means to actuate said first clamping means into sheet clamping condition to arrest advance or retraction of said sheet material relative to said belt during a return stroke of said second clamping means and for releasing it during an advance movement of said second clamping means, and means for re leasing said second clamping means from gripping said sheet material during its return stroke and clamping it during its advance stroke, said tensioning and supporting means having a lead screw extending parallel to the reach of the belt, a nut on the first said carriage engageable with said lead screw, indexing gear means for rotating said sctrgw to position said first clamping means along the ta e.

6. Sheet stock measuring and feeding mechanism comprising an endless belt, means for tensioning and supporting a straight reach of said belt, a stock supply adjacent the said reach of said belt for supplying sheet material thereto, a first clamp means spanning the width of said belt adjustably mounted on said tensioning and supporting means and having means for clamping said sheet material to said belt against relative advance thereof, a second clamp means independently operable relative to the first said clamp means movable along said supporting means and adapted to advance said sheet material and said belt, means for moving said second clamping means along said supporting means in a reciprocating movement, means to actuate said first clamping means into sheet clamping condition to arrest advance or retraction of said sheet material relative to said belt during a return stroke of said second clamping means and for releasing it during an advance movement of said second clamping means, and means for releasing said second clamping means from gripping said sheet material during its return stroke and clamping it during its advance stroke, said means for moving said second clamping means comprising a fluid pressure operated cylinder and piston, and stop means being provided for adjusting the stroke of the piston.

7. Sheet stock measuring and feeding mechanism comprising an endless belt, means for tensioning and supporting a straight reach of said belt, a stock supply adjacent the said reach of said belt for supplying sheet material thereto, a first clamp means spanning the width of said belt adjustably mounted on said tensioning and supporting means and having means for clamping said during a return stroke of said second clamping means and for releasing it during an advance movement of said second clamping means, and means for releasing said second clamping means from gripping said sheet material during its return stroke and clamping it during its advance stroke, said means for moving said second clamping means comprising a fluid pressure operated cylinder and piston, and stop means being provided for adjusting the stroke of the piston, stop means being adjustably mounted on the first said clamp means.

8. Sheet stock feeding mechanism comprising a table, an endless belt having a reach extending over and along said table, a first clamping mechanism for clamping sheet material to the reach of said belt, said first clamping mechanism being adjustable along said table, a second clamping mechanism independently operable relative to said first clamping mechanism for clamping said sheet material to said belt, said second clamping mechanism having means for moving it back and forth along said reach of said belt for intermittently advancing said belt with said sheet material thereon, and means to actuate said first clamping mechanism into sheet clamping condition while said second clamping mechanism is being retracted in unclamped condition.

9. Sheet stock feeding mechanism comprising a table, an endless belt having a reach extending over and along said table, a first clamping mechanism for clamping sheet material to the reach of said belt, said first clamping mechanism being adjustable along said table, a second clamping mechanism independently operable relative to said first clamping mechanism for clamping said sheet material to said belt, said second clamping mechanism having means for moving it back and forth along said reach of said belt for intermittently advancing said belt with said sheet material thereon, and means preventing retraction of said second clamping mechanism until said first clamping mechanism is in clamped position.

10. Sheet stock feeding mechanism comprising a table,- an endless belt having a reach extending over and along said table, a first clamping mechanism for clamping sheet material to said reach of said belt, said first ciamping mechanism being adjustable along said table, a second clamping mechanism operable independently of said first clamping mechanism for clamping said sheet material to said belt, said second clamping mechanism having means for moving it back and forth along said reach of said belt for intermittently advancing said belt with said sheet material thereon, and means preventing advance of the second clamping mechanism until said first clamping mechanism is released.

11. Sheet stock feeding mechanism comprising a tabie, an endless belt having a reach extending over and along said table, a pair of clamping mechanisms movable independently of one another along said table each adapted to independently clamp sheet material against said belt, means for alternately actuating said clamping mechanisms into clamping relation, and means for advancing one of said clamping mechanisms in clamped relation to said belt in regular equal advance movements While the other said clamping mechanism is released.

12. Sheet stock feeding mechanism comprising a table, an endless belt having a reach extending over and along said table, a pair of clamping mechanisms movable independently of one another along said table each adapted to independently clamp sheet material against said belt, means for alternately actuating said clamping mechanisms mto clamping relation, and means for advancing 'one of said clamping mechanisms in clamped relation to belt in regular equal advance movementswhile the jother clamping mechanism istreleased and means for adjusting the other said clamping mechanism along the table to adjust the length of such advance movements.

' 13. Sheet stock feeding mechanism comprising an endless belt, means for tensioning and supporting a straight reach thereof, a pair of clamping mechanisms movable independently of one another along said reach of said "belt each adapted to independently. clamp sheet material ;to said belt, means for alternately actuating saidrclamp- "ing mechanisms into clamping relation and means for reciprocating one of the said mechanisms lengthwise of t the reach of said belt to advance sheetmaterial with-said belt While the other said clamping mechanism is released.

14. Sheet stock feeding mechanism comprising an endl'ess belt, means for tensioning and supporting a straight reach thereof, a pair of clamping mechanisms movable 10 ing the efiective stroke of the reciprocating means.

References Cited in the tile of patent UNITED, STATES PATENTS" 2,612,835 Marek et al. Oct. 7, 1952 15 2,755,085 Giani July.l7, 195s FOREIGN PATENTS 553,578

Italy Dec. 28, 1956 

